Package wrapper



Feb. 18 1964 1., H., HAYES 3,121,525

' PACKAGE WRAPPER Filed Nov. 7, 19610 4 Sheets-Sheet I i a W k INVENTOR.

Feb. 18, 1964 Filed Nov. 7, 1960 J. H. HAYES PACKAGE WRAPPER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. J4) b447 5 Feb. 18, 1964 J. H. HAYES 3,121,525

PACKAGE WRAPPER Filed Nov. 7, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

7J4? A. #4 V Feb. 18, 1964 J. H. HAYES 3,121,525

PACKAGE WRAPPER Filed Nov. 7, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 W m lk 500 INVENTOR.

BY 0 .4 4- A 2 United States Patent 3,121,525 PACKAGE WRAPPER Jay H. Hayes, New Shrewshury, Ni, assignor to West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 67,819 7 Claims. (Cl. 229-87) This invention relates to wrappers for packaging and shipping books, sheet materials, and other materials generally of a rectangular shape for which the protection of the edges is necessary. More specifically this invention relates to a shipping wrapper for books having unique cushion blocks to protect the corners and edges of a book while in transit.

While wrappers of previous construction have served to shield books and other articles from scuffing, scratching and other damaging actions, they have not offered protection from crushing and bruising impacts, especially at the corners.

The novel construction of the improved package wrapper of this invention provides cusmon blocks to shield the book from destructive impact and to distribute and absorb shocks without damaging the corners and edges of the book or article packaged.

A fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following drawings taken in conjunction with the accompanying description in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view of a one-piece blank from which the wrapper may be formed.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the inner face of a cushion block used in the preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the outer face of the cushion block of FIG. 2.

FIGURES 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the inner and outer faces of another embodiment of the cushion block of the invention.

FIGURES 6 and 7 are perspective views of a cushion block in another embodiment useful in packaging articles having a trapezoidal cross-section.

FIGURES 8 and 9 are perspective views of another embodiment of the cushion block of the invention having arcuate intermediate faces.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view showing a cushion block made of folded sheet material.

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of a blank of sheet material for forming the cushion block of FIG. 10.

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of a wrapper blank with cushion blocks attached.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view showing a wrapper with top flap partially folded and with a book in packaging position.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIG. 13 with one top flap in assembled package position and the other top flap partially folded.

FIGURE 15 shows a perspective view of the wrapper in the form of a completed package containing the article to be shipped.

FIGURE 16 is a plan View of a one-piece blank suitable for forming a package wrapper having integral cushion blocks.

FIGURE 17 is a perspective view of a package wrapper formed from the blank of FIG. 16 with the cushion blocks assembled in position.

FIGURE 18 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled package with the wrapper folded and the packaged article in place.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the package wrapper may be constructed of paperboard from a single blank as illustrated in FIG.

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1. The blank is of generally rectangular shape, having a bottom panel 2t), two side panels 22 and 24 and two top flaps 26 and 28. Side panel 22 is defined by score lines 30 and 32 and edges 34 and 36, and side panel 24 is defined by score lines 38 and 4d, and edges 42 and 44. Top flap 26 is defined by score line 30 and edges 46, 4'3 and 50. Top flap 28 is defined by score line 40 and edges 52, 54 and 56. Bottom panel 20 is defined by score lines 32 and 38 and end edges 58 and 6d. The blank has suitable glue lines 62 and '64, which ext-end approximately parallel to end edges 58 and 60, respectively, of the blank. Any other suitable configuration of glue spots or lines may be used.

Although pressure sensitive adhesive is preferred, any suitable adhesives or other securing means within the skill of the art, such as by stapling, may be used for attaching the cushion blocks to the blank.

Cushion block 70, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is preferably made of rigid plastic foam material, such as, for example, foamed polystyrene. Many other materials may be used to form suitable cushion blocks, for example, molded pulp b'locks, built-up corrugated paperboard, blocks of folded corrugated paperboard, or other blocks of suitable sheet material, all of which may be utilized when constructed in accordance with this invention so that the corner portions of the article to be packaged will not be in contact with the inner faces of the cushion blocks.

Cushion block 79 is formed from a substanitally rectangular block of foamed polystyrene approximately equal in length to the outer edge of bottom panel 21'} and by cutting the block across its inside corners to remove a portion of the corners. This removal of material from the inside edge of the two corners of the cushion block of the preferred embodiment of the package wrapper forms two intermediate faces 74 and 76 of approximately equal areas and configuration, and inner face 72 of the cushion block, inner face 72 having a smaller area than the outer face 78.

The form of the cushion blocks of this invention is critical with respect to the inner end portions thereof which should be of such configuration so as not to bear against or touch any of the corners of the book, stack of paper sheets, or other article to be packaged in the wrapper. The voids resulting between the corner edge of the article packaged, and the cushion block, when the package is in assembled form, prevent shock from being transmitted to the corners of the article packaged, thus avoiding damage to the corners of the packaged article.

Other configurations of cushion blocks may be formed as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The cushion block shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is especially adapted for packaging articles such as looseleaf binders and the like having a back or spine larger in dimension than the opposite edge, resulting in a trapezoidal or wedge shaped cross-section facing the cushion blocks.

A cushion block, as shown in FIG. 10, may be constructed of paperboard or other suitable sheet material from a blank such as that shown in FIG. 11.

Cushion block 7d of FIG. 2 is a solid block constructed with inner face 72 having bottom edge 88, top edge 3%), and side edges 71 and 73, intermediate faces 74 and 76, side faces 92 and 94, and top face 80 and with bottom face 32 opposite the top face 80 and outer face 78 opposite the inner face 72, outer face 78 having bottom edge 84 and top edge 86.

The area of the inner face 72. is always less than the area of outer face 7 S. It is preferred that the areas of the intermediate surfaces 74 and 76 be approximately equal and of similar configuration. The removal of material from a rectangular block to form the intermediate faces of the cushion block creates a void between the article packaged and the intermediate faces when the package is assembled.

lnthe preferred embodiment of the package wrapper, two cushion blocks are used and each cushion block has parallel top and bottom faces 80 and 82 of a similar truncated trapezoidal configuration.

The bottom face '82 of the one cushion block 7t? is placed on the bottom panel 26 on the glue line 64 with the bottom edge 8-!- of the outer face id of the cushion block 76 approximately parallel and even with an outer edge 61 of the bottom panel 26 of the blank as shown in F16. 12.

Another similar cushion block 79 is placed in similar manner with bottom edge 84 approximately parallel and even with outer edge 53 of the bottom panel.

The article to be packaged 21 is next placed on the bottom panel and between the inner faces of the cushion blocks as shown in HS. 13.

The blank is then folded as illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 along score lines 3% and 32 and along score lines 38 and 4b to form side panels 22 and 24, respectively, and top panels 26 and 23. Top panels 26 and 2d are then folded downwardly onto the top face 8% of each cushion block and are sealed to the cushion blocks, thus enclosing the article to be packaged as shown in FIG. 15. The side panels 2 and 94 of each cushion block contact the inner surface of side walls 22 and 24. The edges 48 and 54 of top panels 26 and 28, respectively, in the preferred embodiment, form a butt joint as shown in FIG. 15. In other embodiments it may be desired to form an overlapping joint.

The package may be further sealed, if desired, with a strip of tape over the butt joint, or over the overlapped joint.

In another embodiment of the package wrapper within the contemplation of this invention, the cushion block is an integral part of the wrapper, being formed from the end flaps of the one-piece blank shown in FIG. 16. The one-piece blank of paperboard or other suitable material is scored with side bottom score lines 200 and 202 and outer bottom score lines 266 and 205a to define a rectangular bottom panel 203. Side panel 219 is foldably connected to the bottom panel 208 along side bottom score line 2G2. Top panel 212 is foldably connected to side panel 21h along top side score line 214.

The side panel 216 is foldably connected to bottom panel 203 along score line 2%; Top panel 218 is foldably connected to side panel 216 along top side score line 220.

Two opposite end flaps 23d and 2360 are foldably connected to the opposite ends of the bottom panel 203 along outer bottom score lines 296 and 265a, respectively.

The end flap 239 is scored with outer top score line 236, inner top score line 24b, and inner bottom score line 244.

Outer end wall 259 is attached along the outer bottom score line 2 56 to bottom panel 2%. The outer end wall is defined by outer bottom score line 2%, outer top score line 236, and end edges 3% and 3&4. The top wall 269 is attached to outer end wall 259 along outer top score line 235. The top wall is defined by outer top score line 236 and inner top score line 24-0 and top edges 3 and 31 Inner end wall 264 is attached along inner top score line 24b to top wall 260. The inner end wall is defined by inner top score line 240, inner bottom score line 244 and inner side edges 318 and 322. The inner end Wall is also the inner face of the cushion block formed.

Bottom wall 276" is attached along inner bottom score line 244 to the inner end wall 264. Bottom wall 27!) is defined by inner bottom score line 244, bottom end edge 271, and bottom edges 2'73 and 275.

Opposite end flap 230a is scored in a manner similar to en 239 and is att ched 0 b ttom panel 208 along outer bottom score line 2961:. Opposite end flap 233a is of a configuration similar to end r'lap 23b. in this embodiment of the invention the walls of the cushion blocks which are formed when the end flaps 23% and 2349a are folded, are offset from the bottom panel 2% and the side panels 210 and 216 and also from the top panels 212 and 218 when the package is assembled.

If it is desired to package a book, the edges of the covers of the book may extend into the spaces created by the offset walls of the cushion blocks as described above, providing greater protection for the book which is packaged, as shown in the cross-sectional view of the assembled package in FIG. 18.

To form cushion blocks integral with the package wrapper, the panels formed from each end flap, as described above, are folded inwardly and downwardly with the bottom walls 27%} and 27% formed from the end flaps 239 and 2330, respectively, being folded inwardly toward the inner surfaces of the outer end wall panels 250 and 25%, respectively, as shown in FIG. 17.

The inner top edge of each cushion block, as defined by the inner top score line 24% is offset from the inner surface of top panels 212 and 218 when the said top panels are closed after the article 221 has been packaged with the bottom inner edge of each cushion block, as defined by bottom inner score line 244 being oilset from the inner surface of the bottom panel 208 when the cushion blocks are in position. Side edges 318 and 322 of the inner end wall 254 are offset from the inner surfaces of the side walls 210 and 216, respectively, when the package is assembled.

The article packaged With the wrapper of this invention is protected at its corners by the voids created when the package is formed by the difference in area of the inner and outer faces of the cushion blocks, the side edges of the inner face of each cushion block being offset from side walls of the package wrapper. By offsetting the edges of the inner faces of the cushion blocks from the side walls of the package wrapper impact forces from dropping or rough handling are not transmitted to the corners of the packaged article and therefore corners of the article are protected from damage since the shock resulting from blows to the package wrapper is transmitted along the inner faces of the cushion blocks away from the corners of the article packaged.

I claim:

1. In a package comprising an article and a paperboard wrapper around the article, the wrapper being scored to provide a bottom panel, two opposite side Walls foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a top foldably connected to at least one of said side walls, the improvement comprising two cushion blocks each attached to opposite ends of the bottom panel, each cushion block serving as the only end wall for its respective end of the package, each cushion block having an outer wall extending the full width of the package wrapper and serving as an outer end wall of the package and an inner face opposite the outer wall and bearing against one side of the article in the package, said inner wall being of less length than the outer wall and of less length than the juxtapositioned side of the article in the package, the corners at said side of the article in the package extending beyond the inner wall of the cushion block.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein the cushion blocks are integral with the wrapper and wherein the wrapper and cushion blocks are formed from a one-piece blank.

3. In a package comprising an article and a paperboard Wrapper around the article, the wrapper being scored to provide a bottom panel, two opposite side walls foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a top foldably connected to at least one of said side Walls, the improvement comprising plastic foam cushion blocks attached to opposite ends of the bottom panel, each cushion block having an outer wall extending the full width of the package wrapper and serving as an outer end Wall of the package and an inner face opposite the outer wall and bearing against one side of the article in the package, said inner Wall being of less length than the outer wall and of less length than the side of the article in the package, the corners at said side of the article in the package extending beyond the inner wall of the cushion block.

4. In a package comprising an article and a paperboard wrapper around the article, the wrapper being scored to provide a bottom panel, two opposite side walls foldably connected to the bottom panel, and a top foldably connected to at least one of said side walls, the improvement comprising foamed polystyrene cushion blocks attached to opposite ends of the bottom panel, each cushion block having an outer wall extending the full width of the package wrapper and serving as an outer end wall of the package and an inner face opposite the outer wall and bearing against one side of the article in the package, said inner wall being of less length than the outer wall and of less length than the side of the article in the package, the corners at said side of the article in the package extending beyond the inner wall of the cushion block.

5. A one-piece paperboard package Wrapper comprising a blank with two side bottom score lines and two end score lines defining a rectangular bottom panel, two opposite side panels foldably connected to said bottom panel along the side bottom score lines, two top panels foldably connected to said side panels along side top score lines, two opposite end flaps foldably connected to said bottom panel along end score lines, each of said end flaps providing a cushion block when inwardly folded, each of said end flaps being suitably scored to provide an outer end wall of the cushion block foldably connected to said bottom panel along the full width thereof, a top wall of the cushion block foldably connected to the outer end Wall, an inner wall foldably connected to said top wall,

and a bottom wall foldably connected to the inner wall, said inner end wall being less in length than said outer end wall and each end of said inner end Wall being offset from the inner surfaces of the side wall panels when the end flap is folded to form a cushion block and when the side wall panels are in assembled position.

6. The one-piece blank of claim 5 in which the top and bottom walls of each cushion block are in the shape of a trapezoid.

7. A package Wrapper comprising a paperboard blank scored and folded to provide a bottom panel, two upright side walls, and at least one top flap connected to at least one of the side walls, and cushion blocks attached to the bottom panel at opposite ends thereof and serving as the only end Walls of the package wrapper, each cushion block having an outer wall extending from one side wall to the other side wall, and an inner Wall of shorter length than said outer wall, the ends of said inner wall being oifset approximately equi-distant from the inner faces of the side walls of the package wrapper.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 442,971 Glass Dec. 16, 1890 1,677,918 Gallistel July 24, 1928 1,890,467 McCarroll Dec. 13, 1932 2,023,983 Sykes Dec. 10, 1935 2,318,198 Clarke 'lay 4, 1943 2,531,255 Clarke Nov. 21, 1950 2,712,411 Boering July 5, 1955 2,893,620 Williamson July 7, 1959 2,967,653 Protz Jan. 10, 1961 2,974,844 Lane Mar. 14, 1961 2,979,246 Liebeskind Apr. 11, 1961 

1. IN A PACKAGE COMPRISING AN ARTICLE AND A PAPERBOARD WRAPPER AROUND THE ARTICLE, THE WRAPPER BEING SCORED TO PROVIDE A BOTTOM PANEL, TWO OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO THE BOTTOM PANEL, AND A TOP FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING TWO CUSHION BLOCKS EACH ATTACHED TO OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE BOTTOM PANEL, EACH CUSHION BLOCK SERVING AS THE ONLY END WALL FOR ITS RESPECTIVE END OF THE PACKAGE, EACH CUSHION BLOCK HAVING AN OUTER WALL EXTENDING THE FULL WIDTH OF THE PACKAGE WRAPPER AND SERVING AS AN OUTER END WALL OF THE PACKAGE AND AN INNER FACE OPPOSITE THE OUTER WALL AND BEARING AGAINST ONE SIDE OF THE ARTICLE IN THE PACKAGE, SAID INNER WALL BEING OF LESS LENGTH THAN THE OUTER WALL AND OF LESS LENGTH THAN THE JUXTAPOSITIONED SIDE OF THE ARTICLE IN THE PACKAGE, THE CORNERS AT SAID SIDE OF THE ARTICLE IN THE PACKAGE EXTENDING BEYOND THE INNER WALL OF THE CUSHION BLOCK. 